Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple

It’s famous as the place where the Daruma doll was first created. The temple, which was built in 1697, is pretty small and is a bit difficult to get to, but it’s the only place in Japan you can buy a Daruma doll that’s been blessed by a Shorinzan monk…or so they told me. To get here, you can take a short ride on the JR Shin-Etsu Line from Takasaki Station to the Gunma-Yawata Station. It doesn’t run very often (once an hour during off-peak times), so you may want to think about what time you leave the temple in order to avoid a long wait at the station. The walk from Gunma-Yawata to the temple takes about 25-30 minutes and is relatively flat until you have to climb up a hill at the end. There are almost no signs along the way to the temple, so I would recommend using Google Maps to guide you there.

The temple is located on multiple levels and to see the building with the daruma dolls, you need to go up to the top level. There are quite a few stairs - if you can’t climb stairs, you may want to use the road that goes around the west side of the temple. From the terrace at the top, you get a beautiful panoramic view of Takasaki and the mountains in the distance. There are two shops at the temple - the one by the entrance is mostly focused on omamori (charms), but the shop at the top level is stocked with reasonably priced daruma-related souvenirs along with the entire range of omamori.

Shorinzan Darumaji is the temple where the Daruma dolls were born. The temple is high on the mountain. Must walk up high stairs. I went in November and it was spring. The leaves are changing color, very beautiful. At the top of the temple there is a place to pray and make a wish. There are Daruma dolls in many sizes, from small to large. There are souvenirs for sale as well. People in this city make a wish from the Daruma doll. They will first use ink to draw one eye on the Daruma doll. When the wish you requested is fulfilled So I will draw another eye for the Daruma doll. Then burn it at the temple at the end of the year.

This temple is where the story of famous Daruma dolls begin.
In 1783, when a famine hit the area, a priest at this temple taught local farmers to make the dolls so they would have something to sell during times of economic hardship. Combined with the society’s faith in—and need for—good-luck charms, the popularity of these dolls sueged all over Japan.

A really beautiful temple and a good experience to know more about Daruma history and make wishes.
It is not pet friendly, but is a nice place to go with kids.

What beautiful grounds, especially with the azalea in full bloom surrounding the staircase between the middle and upper levels. The view from the upper level of the surrounding mountains is stunning. The daruma piles are picturesque and the koi pond is relaxing. We watched all the colors come alive during golden hour.

There was a slight disconnect between the levels in my opinion. A very serious goshuin procedure at the middle level: copying a sutra and the monk offering our wishes up. Contrasted with the gift shop and multi-colored daruma on the top level. Not a negative thing, just something I noticed.

You can purchase a daruma from the shop on the highest level; the colors are only for aesthetic purposes and don’t change the meaning of your wish. If you have a completed daruma, you can bring it here for the temple to burn – they will ask for a donation, but you choose the amount.

If you come on foot, there are steep stairs leading up to the temple. If you come by car, there are various parking lots closer to the top.

Cool place to see darumas lined up. Its about a 20 minute walk from the gunma-yawata station if you dont have a car. Theres a small shop to buy all daruma related souvenirs as well

We saw three old men in suits take a huge boulder sized daruma out of their tiny trunk, walk it over to the temple, and gently hurl it into the stack. Much celebrating ensued.

Really cool place but parking is opposite of the actual temple entrance. Make sure to remember purification at the chozuya.

Beautiful Daruma Temple. There are 3 parking lanes and 1 souvenirs shop. The transportation is rare in this area so please plan the trip carefully if you go by public transport 🙏🏼 have a great day

Such a lovely shrine and the Daruma dolls are super fun. The goshuin stamp experience was awesome and memorable - so different than other goshuin stamps, I will cherish this one.

Such a beautiful temple! Daruma (red Japanese round dolls of the monk Bodhidharma) had originated in the area. You can even paint your own in the shack behind the temple to the left. Afterwards a priest can even bless it and draw the first eye in (開目)at the counter downstairs for ￥500.

Park in the upper lot. No need to visit the shop at the base of the stairs. Encountered there one of the rare instances of a rude Japanese individual. The temple and it's surroundings are pleasant and colorful. Evidence of the recent burning of the daruma. Sorry to have missed it. Place is worth seeing.

Very relaxing and quiet experience. All you can hear from up at the temple is the sound of nature and the occasional chime from someone ringing the bells!
Lota to see and the staff are very friendly and helpful. One rushed to get me a English guide when he saw me.
They sell a decent amount of daruma themed items here as well!

The first time I came here was 4 years ago in 2016. I came here every autumn after the first visit. It’s a special place to me. The place is so calm and the surrounding scenery is not only beautiful but awesome.

Darina painti g experience is a must! It was so much fun! We could choose the color of our daruma and then we got balck and gold ink and brushes. At the end, you also get a cute sticker to put on your daruma.

Beautiful temple where you can interact with Gunma's deep daruma culture. The air is fresh and clean and the ambience is peaceful!

Interaction with a staff member via email. They kindly sent me Daruma they sell at the temple to me here in New Zealand - which I hugely appreciate. Would absolutely love to visit the temple in person, in the future!

Very peaceful temple in Takasaki

Are you familiar with the cute Daruma statue with the two white eyes that is ubiquitous in Japan? This is the temple where he originated. After you purchase a Daruma, you dot one of the eyes and make a wish, when the wish comes true you dot the other eye. Visit this temple and find out who he was and why he came to Takasaki...

Must go place in takasaki